Contents

Fish

Rainbowfishes
Chilatherina

Glossolepis




Melanotaenia











M. splendida








M. trifasciata

Rainbowfishes

Rainbowfishes are a group of closely related species from Australia and New Guinea (with a single species from Madagascar, sometimes classified separately) belonging to the fish order Athriniformes and family Melanotaeniidae. While the Athriniformes are primarily a marine group, the Melanotaeniidae are freshwater fishes. The rainbowfishes apparently evolved from marine ancestors who invaded the relatively unoccupied freshwater habitats of Australia and New Guinea. Both Australia and New Guinea have relatively low numbers of freshwater fish species. This paucity of competition allowed some early Athriniformes to invade these waters and without competition rapidly speciate into a dazzling array of species (more than 50), subspecies and geographic varieties.

Rainbowfishes are ideal aquarium fishes. They:

     are neither too large nor too small,
     come in a variety of colors and shapes,
     are very peaceful,
     are fast enough and large enough to avoid molestation by aggressive tank-mates,
     are tolerant of water conditions,
     are not picky eaters, and
     are relatively easy to breed.

Rainbowfishes are neither too large nor too small. They have mature sizes that range from 5cm (2 in.) to 15cm (6 in.). Rainbowfishes come in sizes appropriate to almost any aquarium and community of fishes.

Rainbowfishes come in an amazing range of colors from neon blue and red to subtle shades of gray and green and everything in between including oranges, yellows, reds, blues, greens, black, etc. Females are often as attractive as the males. Body shapes range from torpedo shaped to high bodied. As can be ascertained by the list to the left, there are dozens of rainbowfish species, many of which have several color varieties. Also, new species are being discovered routinely as unexplored areas of New Guinea are collected. And, amazingly, there are another 15+ species of related fish that are often lumped together with rainbowfishes; the blue- eyes. Blue-eyes also come form New Guinea and Australia and have similar cultural requirements. Blue-eyes are smaller than the smallest rainbowfishes and offer yet another size of fish.

Rainbowfishes are very peaceful. While large males can be somewhat quarrelsome, this translates to beautiful threat displays but not much overt aggression. Males can drive females hard, but the solution to that is multiple females to each male. Rainbowfishes almost never molest other species. Most are not prone to eating even much smaller fish.

Rainbowfishes not only do not harass other species, but are largely harassment proof from all but the most vicious and predatory of fish. Their relatively large sizes and fast, active swimming styles make them somewhat immune to aggression.

Rainbowfishes are very tolerant of water conditions, thriving in all but the most extreme pHs and tolerating a wide range of temperatures, especially high ones. Water hardness is not important. Many rainbowfishes, especially the Australian species, come from areas subject to drought. As a result, they have to tolerate extreme water conditions as the pools and streams in which they reside almost dry up.

Rainbowfishes are not picky about foods. They do not require live foods (although live foods are beneficial) and will eat commercial foods with gusto. Nothing is prettier than a tank full of rainbowfishes slashing through the water to devour flake foods.

Unlike many attractive, exotic fishes, rainbowfishes are not difficult to breed (click here for breeding information). Almost any healthy adults fed adequately will spawn continuously. Fry rearing can be problematic for beginners, but with a little practice nearly anyone can grow them to maturity.

For additional information and a list of resources about rainbowfishes, click here for our library or click on one of the following organization names:

      Rainbow Study Group
      Australian New Guinea Fishes Association (ANGFA)
      British Rainbowfish and Gobie Society BRAGS
      Internationale Gesellschaft für Regenbogenfische e.V. IRG

One advantage of keeping and raising rainbowfish is a growing international community that shares your interest. Every hobbyist should join a non-profit organization sharing his or her interests. Membership brings a wealth of information in the form of monthly publications and provides ready sources of fish and eggs.

Additional Information:  For additional information about rainbowfishes, click on one of the following links:
   http://members.optushome.com.au/chelmon/Melano.htm

Below is a list of rainbowfish species most authorities accept. The species highlighted and underlined are those Goliad Farms produces. Click on the name to see a description of a particular species or click here to see a list for the species we produce.

     Carirnsichthys rhombosomoides
     Chilatherina axelrodi
     Chilatherina bleheri
     Chilatherina bulolo
     Chilatherina campsi
     Chilatherina crassispinosa
     Chilatherina fasciata
     Chilatherina lorentzi
     Chilatherina sentaniensis
     Iriatherina werneri
     Glossolepis incisus
     Glossolepis maculosus
     Glossolepis multisquamatus
     Glossolepis pseudoincisus
     Glossolepis ramuensis
     Glossolepis wanamensis
     Melanotaenia affinis
     Melanotaenia ajamaruensis
     Melanotaenia angfa
     Melanotaenia arfakensis
     Melanotaenia boesemani
     Melanotaenia corona
     Melanotaenia catherinae
     Melanotaenia eachamensis
     Melanotaenia exquisita
     Melanotaenia fluviatilis
     Melanotaenia fredericki
     Melanotaenia goldiei
     Melanotaenia gracilis
     Melanotaenia herbertaxelrodi
     Melanotaenia irianjaya
     Melanotaenia iris
     Melanotaenia japenensis
     Melanotaenia lacustris
     Melanotaenia maccullochi
     Melanotaenia maylandi
     Melanotaenia misoolensis
     Melanotaenia monticola
     Melanotaenia nigrans
     Melanotaenia ogilbyi
     Melanotaenia oktediensis
     Melanotaenia papuae
     Melanotaenia parkinsoni
     Melanotaenia parva
     Melanotaenia pimanensis
     Melanotaenia praecox
     Melanotaenia pygmaea
     Melanotaenia sexlineata
     Melanotaenia splendida australis
     Melanotaenia splendida inornata
     Melanotaenia splendida rubrostriata
     Melanotaenia splendida splendida
     Melanotaenia splendida tatei
     Melanotaenia trifasciata
     Melanotaenia vanheurni
     Rhadinocentrus ornatus

Page last modified December 24, 2007.
Copyright © 2007, Goliad, Farms, LP